Hello there! If you are looking for the best possible way to explore the magnificent country called South Africa, then you have come to the right place. My 16-day South Africa Itinerary will take you from the buzzing streets of Cape Town, along the lush Garden Route, and through the countless natural wonders that you get to experience in South Africa. With its diversity, complexity, and beauty, South Africa is a country that will leave an unshakeable impression on you, staying with you way longer than the trip will last, and with this South Africa itinerary, you will get a tour through the highlights of this breathtaking country.
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FAQ about traveling in South Africa
When is the best time to visit South Africa?
While South Africa is an incredible travel destination all year round, it does have its perks to adjust your trip dates with what you want to see the most. For us, the most important thing was that we wanted to get the best experience watching the wildlife on safari as well as being able to go whale watching.
To get that, we went to South Africa in late October, and while we still got to see the whales in Hermanus and Plettenberg Bay, we were told that it was a bit late in the season for whale watching. So my recommendation to ensure more sightings is to visit South Africa in October.
How to Get to South Africa?
From Germany, the obvious way to reach South Africa is to go by plane and arrive at Cape Town International Airport (CPT). Our airline of choice here is Lufthansa (for those who know – my mother was a flight attendant for Lufthansa for more than 30 years), and we had a smooth flight from Frankfurt to Cape Town.
How to Get Around in South Africa?
We decided to turn our trip to South Africa into a roadtrip. As we had multiple hotels chosen and would drive between our destinations, and for that, we had a rental car. We picked it up at Cape Town International airport and it took us dutifully through all our travels.
However, when traveling in South Africa, there are a few things to keep in mind to not only get around but get around safely. For further information, please also refer to tips provided by local authorities. However, a brief overview that I found the most useful and that sticked to:
- Don’t drive long distances at night.
- Park in official parking lots & well-lit areas.
- Never leave anything openly behind in your car.
- When loading and unloading your car, make sure that there is at least one person remaining by the car.
- Stay on main roads and don’t take unnecessary detours.
Day 1: Arriving in Cape Town, The Rock Viewpoint, Checking In at Camps Bay, Beach Walk at Clifton 4th for Sunset & Dinner at the Codfather
Hello Cape Town! You have officially arrived in one of the most iconic, vibrant and breathtaking cities in the entire world. The first 4 days of this South Africa Itinerary will be dedicated to you exploring this city to the absolute fullest. Here, you will see natural and urban wonders alike, all while making all of your culinary dreams come true.
The Rock Viewpoint
We arrived in Cape Town during the early afternoon, and with dinner reservations already made, we still had a bit of time on our hands to get a first glimpse of the city. We started by visiting the iconic „The Rock“ viewpoint, which already gave us an incredible overview of Camps Bay. Right here, you can already see the see why everyone loves Cape Town so much!
Checking In in Camps Bay
During our time in Camps Bay, we stayed in the lovely Sea View Apartment, which was the perfect place to stay with our travel group of 4. When staying in Camps Bay, I would recommend looking for a place that comes with a sea view in any case, because they are just too good to miss out on. Furthermore, make sure that there is parking included, because you don’t want to park your car just outside the place. Last but not least, one thing you can save money on is the pool. While exploring, we neither had the time nor the energy to go swimming. Also, October in Cape Town doesn’t make for the best swimming weather anyway.
Beach Walk at Clifton 4th for Sunset
One thing that Cape Town is famous for is its incredible sunsets. Beloved by photographers around the world, they are a must-do when visiting Cape Town. So right after a little nap in the Sea View Apartment, we got down for a small walk on Clifton 4th for sunset. Right there, you can see the Twelve Apostles, the Lion’s Head and the ocean all at once. I promise, this is the perfect way to kick off your South Africa Itinerary!
Dinner at Codfather
If you only want to visit one restaurant in Cape Town (and if you like seafood, that is a must here!), you will want to visit the one and only Codfather! The seafood/sushi place is well-beloved, so make sure you have a reservation here. Right there you will get to choose between fresh seafood à la carte or sushi from a sushi train. While I stuffed my face with all the sushi, my parents had a blast choosing lobster from the display to be prepared for them. 10/10 restaurant recommendation here!
Day 2: The Neighbourgoods Market, Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, V&A Waterfront & Dinner at the Bo-Vine Wine
Let’s get ready to explore more of Cape Town! We started the day with a small breakfast in the Sea View Apartment before heading out. For the day, you will want to wear SPF and also carry it with you, since you are going to spend a lot of time outdoors. It will also be helpful to bring your own water bottle and some snacks for in between.
The Neighbourgoods Market
The first thing you will want to explore in Cape Town is the wonderful Neighbourgoods Market. Located in Woodstock, this colourful market offers a wide range of amazing small local brands selling their goods. From clothes to coffee and souvenirs, right here you can find the perfect souvenirs for all your friends and family. You can also find all sorts of delicious food, so the market makes for the perfect lunch spot after you finish shopping!
Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden
After the small shopping spree, it is time to explore some more! One of the places I was most eager to see in Cape Town is the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden. The huge garden is filled with local plant species, and it is a glorious place for any plant lover that should not be missing from your South Africa Itinerary.
V&A Waterfront
After a long walk in the Botanical Garden, we went for a final stop of the day. You can’t visit Cape Town and miss out on the V&A Waterfront. The lively waterfront is perfect for a small stroll and, more importantly, for a coffee (or aperitif if you feel like it). We chose the Den Anker for that and had the perfect view of Table Mountain during our coffee break!
Dinner at the Bo-Vine
Once you make it back to Camps Bay, it is time to freshen up and head to the restaurant for the night. The Bo-Vine. Close by and with an excellent, meat-focused menu, this place is perfect after a long day of exploring.
Day 3: Penguins at Boulders Beach, Cape of Good Hope, Dinner at Steenberg Estate
As you will leave your accommodation very early this day and only return later in the evening, you must pack water and snacks for the day.
Boulders Beach
Boulders Beach and the colony of penguins living there were one of the main reasons I wanted to visit Cape Town for so long. The African penguins living there are an endangered species, and it is a wonderful thing to visit them and see them in their natural habitat. The whole beach has wooden walkways installed for tourists, to disturb the penguins as little as possible. These fill up quickly, so make sure you arrive when the area opens!
Helpful Tips:
- You can prebook entry to Boulder’s Beach to save some time at the entry. It is around 25€ (August, 2026).
Cape of Good Hope
After watching the penguins doing their shenanigans for a while, it’s time to head for the next place on today’s South Africa Itinerary. The Cape of Good Hope is a national park, where you can hike the coastline and see so much wildlife already.
Day 4: Exploring Bo Kaap, Signal Hill, Lion’s Head Hike, Maiden’s Cove & Dinner at the Bungalow
Let’s explore more of Cape Town’s urban beauty today! After exploring Woodstock and the Neighbourgoods Market, we started the day by exploring Bo Kaap before going on one of South Africa’s most iconic hikes. And to end the day (& actually your time in Cape Town) we celebrated by having more incredible seafood!
Bo Kaap
One place that should be on everyone’s Cape Town Itinerary is the colourful Bo Kaap. Once a racially segregated area for Malaysian workers, the neighbourhood is one of the most vibrant places in Cape Town today. Within and on its bright, colourful houses, it houses many incredible artists and their work. Right here you can find amazing cafés, stores and galleries, so I would say, make sure not to miss out on that!
Lions Head Hike
When you are done with exploring Bo Kaap, get ready for the next breathtaking place on your South Africa Itinerary! No one willing (and able) should miss out on the Lion’s Head Hike. Although I do have to say that the hike is not for the faint of heart, the views you get even from its lowest levels are just epic. You can see Table Mountain, Camps Bay and more from there. And the good thing is that if it gets too steep or advanced for you, you can simply turn around!
Helpful Tips:
- For someone afraid of heights and I would say athletic on a moderate level, I was not able to finish the hike. At its end, you have to show off your climbing skills, and my knees simply got too weak to do so. However, it is still doable, but you should know your limits!
- Make sure to bring snacks and water for your hike!
Signal Hill Viewpoint
When you are already in the area, make sure to plan a stop at Signal Hill Viewpoint! From there, you will have the perfect views of Table Mountain (on a clear day!) and the Lion’s Head, as well as of Robben Island.
Maiden’s Cove & Bungalow by Kove Collection
After a short nap (and when my knees finally listened to me again after the hike) we got ready for dinner, but of course I had to add one more place to the day! On the way to the Bungalow by Kove Collection, we had our Uber drop us off at Maiden’s Cove, which is an artificial pool from where you can overlook Camps Bay. It is a very beautiful place, especially if you are blessed with better weather than we were!
The Bungalow is only a short walk away from Maiden’s Cove, making it the perfect place. They have the most delicious seafood in various variants, from grilled fish to lobster and sushi. Any seafood lover will for sure find their perfect dish here!
Day 5: The Road Trip starts!
On day 5 of this South Africa Itinerary, you are starting to embark on the road trip part of this trip! With your final destination of this road trip being Plettenberg, you will have some distance to cover, but we are sure to fill these days with the most scenic roads and incredible to-dos!
Kogel Baai Beach
The road to Hermanus is an incredibly scenic one, and you will find many viewpoints you want to stop for. However, the most important one I want you to keep in mind is Kogel Baai Beach. This wonderful place is one of the most magnificent beaches you will ever see. On its right end, you will also find a few caves that you can explore.
Helpful information:
- Kogel Baai Beach has many small parking lots for you to stop and have a break.
- The iconic photospot in the cave is located on the right-hand side of the beach. Depending on the season, you might not be able to enter the area because of the tide.
Check In at Bayview 208
After such a scenic drive, you will be happy to check into what is probably the most spectacular accommodation in this South Africa Itinerary. The Bayview 208 is located in Hermanus with a window overlooking the bay directly for the best ocean views. And the best part? If you are visiting Hermanus between the months of June – November, the chances are great that you can spot and observe whales from that very window!
Day 6: Beach Walk in Hermanus
Hello and welcome to Hermanus! This day, you will be spending on the outdoors, chasing beach views and maybe even a glimpse of a whale or two! The Hermanus Beach Walk is not only incredibly scenic but also a nice change of scenery compared to sitting in a car the whole day. When walking it, make sure to always have one eye on the horizon, in case you spot a whale!
After this scenic walk, we spent some time in the Bayview 208 resting, before we headed out for a late lunch/early dinner at the Perlemoen Seafront Restaurant, where we had our dinner with a view!
Author’s Note: If you have more days to spare when planning your vacation, make sure to plan a few more days in Hermanus. The town is lovely, and the ocean views are perfect for a few relaxing days.
Day 7: Drive to Botlierskop, Kap Agulhas, Afternoon Safari
Day 7 of this South Africa Itinerary is going to be filled to the brim with adventures! You will be sitting in a car a lot, but hey, this is also because you are going on your first safari of the trip! But you also have to get there first, and that is going to be quite the drive. So make sure to get up early and leave around 7:30 – 8:00 AM, so you make it to check in at Botlierskop.
Kap Agulhas
The first stop on your way from Hermanus to Botlierskop is one that should be on your Bucket List! At Cape Agulhas you can visit the most Southern Tip of the African continent. I loved visiting this place for a very memorable picture of me standing as South as I have ever been before. Furthermore, the nature surrounding the spot is incredibly wonderful, so make sure not to miss these views!
Botlierskop
If you are wondering how to go on Safari around Cape Town, Botlierskop would be my first answer! Although it is technically not exactly around the corner from Camps Bay, it still can be integrated into your South Africa Itinerary fairly easily. The area is privately owned, and although people claim that this isn’t „real safari“, the experience of seeing these animals in real life is breathtaking.
So as I said, make sure you plan to arrive at 2 pm in Botlierskop for your check-in, because at 3:00 PM your very first game drive already starts. After the drive, which lasts around 3 hours, you will have your dinner at 6:00 PM.
Day 8: Safari
Waking up at 5:00 AM in the morning is quite hard, but as it was for another game drive, I never got up faster! On Day 8 of this South Africa Itinerary, you will be spending your day with your guide, looking for all the animals. Between the game drives, you can go for lunch, hang out by the pool, visit the spa or gym of Botlierskop. All the food we had was simply delicious and honestly, spending time in Botlierskop is how I imagine life in heaven.
Helpful Information:
At Botlierskop, you will have two game drives per day, one in the afternoon from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM and one from 6:00 AM to 9:00 AM. After the drives, you will have dinner/breakfast.
Day 9: One last game drive, drive to Plettenberg Bay, Aperitif and Dinner at Emily Moon Lodge
So, that’s the day you leave Botlierskop and head for Plettenberg Bay, the furthest place on this South Africa Itinerary. We wanted to stay in Plettenberg Bay because of its famous Whale Sightings, and spoiler alert – we were not disappointed.
Archrock Resort
The place we chose for our stay in Plettenberg Bay was the Archrock Resort, and honestly, this is the perfect place to stay! Once you arrive, you can directly take a walk on the beach, and if you are really lucky, you are already going to spot some whales or dolphins.
Aperitif & Dinner at Emily Moon Lodge
If you are looking for a restaurant in Plettenberg, the one place you have to look for is Emily Moon Lodge. The hotel and restaurant are located next to a river and are incredibly charming. We went there for a drink on their terrace overlooking the river and later dinner. If you can get a reservation, I would also advise staying in their hotel too during your stay in Plettenberg Bay.
Day 10: Whale Watching & Exploring Plettenberg Bay
While Plettenberg is a beautiful city, from the months of June – November the whales in the bay completely steal the show. During that time, they come to raise their calves in the bay area, so naturally, the one thing you will want to do in Plettenberg Bay is a whale watching tour! And if you are lucky, you are even going to see some dolphins!
In the afternoon, take your time to explore Plettenberg Bay! The city centre is very charming and has a few lovely stores and cafés for you to stroll through. The perfect place to buy a few souvenirs, if you ask me.
Day 11: Drive to Gondwana & Afternoon Safari
Well, I have to say that one safari was not enough for us! The next stop on your South Africa Itinerary is another private game reserve, where you will also spend the next two nights before heading back to Cape Town. The drive takes around 2,5 hours, and you will pass some incredible natural places. Suddenly it clicks why this road trip is called „the Garden Route“.
Check-In at Gondwana Game Reserve
Similar to Botlierskop, you will have to check in at Gondwana before 2:00 PM, so you can be on your game drive at 3:00 PM. Gondwana is an incredibly beautiful place, and already on our first drive we spotted their lions, fighting elands and a rare sable antelope. So you can say, we were already pretty successful on our first drive!
Day 12: Safari in Gondwana Game Reserve
Like in Botlierskop, you are going to enjoy the next full day of this South Africa Itinerary on the grounds of Gondwana. From 06:00 AM – 09:00 AM, you are going to have your first game drive before you have your breakfast.
Then you are free to enjoy the pool, the spa, or other activities before your second game drive of the day from 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM, and finish the day with a lovely dinner at the restaurant.
Day 13: Last Safari in Gondwana, Drive to Stellenbosch & Check In at Sunset Farm
After this lovely day in Gondwana, you will again get up at 5:00 AM for your final game drive of your South Africa Itinerary. Then it is time to say goodbye to the animals and sit in the safari vehicle, because on this day you are going back to Stellenbosch and Cape Town. There, you will spend two more days before flying back home. For me, two days is the minimum time to spend in Stellenbosch to explore it, but if you have more time on your hands, you can also spend a few more nights here.
Our place to stay in Stellenbosch was the lovely Sunset Farm. We had a lovely apartment here, and the place also has an incredible pool, which is very nice, especially when you are planning some downtime to relax in Stellenbosch!
Day 14: Explore Babylonstoren & Stellenbosch
On your first day in Stellenbosch, you should definitely plan to visit at least one vineyard. The one that I want you to visit is Babylonstoren, and I love that because it is not only a vineyard, but also the most beautiful farm with a huge garden, a restaurant and many shops for you to take home some of the produce and groceries they are producing there. It might be one of the most beautiful places in and around Cape Town and absolutely worth a visit! After exploring the gardens and an early lunch, we also opted to have a small wine tasting before going back to Sunset Farm.
In the afternoon, after a short nap, you should consider exploring Downtown Stellenbosch. The charming small city has many things to offer, from nice coffee & pastry shops to shops for all things interior and souvenir. It is a lovely place to end the day by having an aperitif and/or dinner. Just head to whatever place looks the best here!
Day 15: Hiking in Jonkershoek Nature Reserve
After so many days of sitting in a car and driving all across South Africa, we wanted to use our last day in South Africa to the fullest by getting in as many steps as we could, and we did so by hiking in the wonderful Jonkershoek Nature Reserve. We chose one of the more beginner-friendly routes, which ended up being quite moderate for me.
Helpful Tips:
- When hiking, make sure to bring water and sunscreen. Although the weather started out quite sunny, it cleared up and became one of the sunniest days of the whole trip.
- For further information about the Jonkershoek Nature Reserve, make sure to check out their official Website for recent news about the trails.
Day 16: Departure
And just like that, we have already reached the end of our 16-Day South Africa Itinerary. On this last day, you will make your way to Cape Town International Airport to return your rental car and get back home. I hope you liked this in-depth guide and that it helps you plan your South Africa trip!
